Europe's exhibition industry reopens: a country by country overview

Dare we whisper it, but perhaps we are finally able to see and imagine the beginning of the end, and life after the pandemic. Although the situation remains incredibly difficult for the entire industry, here in Europe there are many reasons to optimistic. More and more countries are announcing the end to coronavirus restrictions, either in part or entirely. Last week alone The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden joined Denmark and the UK in announcing the lifting of restrictions, including the reopening of exhibitions.  Other countries such as Spain and Greece have stayed open.

Countries that imposed new restrictions have had to endure another wave of postponements and cancellations, some for the third year running. Yet now the balance between cautiousness in public health policy and the necessity to reopen business & industries, seems to be tipping in the latter’s favour. Many of the arguments, which UFI made in March 2020 in the “Framework for Reopening exhibitions and business events” are still as relevant almost two years later.

As we reopen, country by country, the exhibition industry will reconnect and reenergise whole industries, one show at a time.

Country by country guide

Below is an up-to-date guide on the latest restrictions in various European countries – and some of the next major trade shows that are planned. If you have additional information / countries to add – please email reopen@ufi.org

DENMARK

As of February 1st, Denmark no longer considers COVID-19 a critical disease and is removing its restrictions. That means a farewell to face masks, corona passports, and a maximum on the amount of people who can gather at events. We do of course still encourage good habits.

Entering Denmark also no longer requires testing or isolation if you are vaccinated or previously infected.

Current / next major events:

EHRA 2022, 3-5 April, Bella Center Copenhagen

Lego World, 15-18 April, Bella Center Copenhagen

Link to current government guidance:

Stay updated on rules and regulations here: https://en.coronasmitte.dk/rules-and-regulations and guidelines for entry intro Denmark here

FRANCE

Currently all events are allowed to go ahead, with no restrictions on size or on the number of persons admitted in the premises of the event.

All kinds of professional events – exhibitions, trade-shows, congress and corporate events are allowed without any restriction.

Visitors, exhibitors’ staff, all participants must show the a valid vaccinal pass to get into the event.

If you want to have a resume of the regulation, please go to Unimev FAQs 

Current / next major events:

Wine Paris / Vinexpo Paris, 14-16 February

Maison&Objet, 24-28 March

Première Vision, 30-31 March

Link to current government guidance: Click here

GERMANY

Events are allowed depending on the legislation in the individual German state. In Cologne, Dusseldorf, Essen, Dortmund and Frankfurt trade fairs are open for visitors vaccinated, recovered or tested. In some states trade fairs are currently still prohibited (like in Hanover, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Friedrichshafen), in other states access to trade fairs is only possible for 2G visitors: vaccinated or recovered with an additional negative test (like in Munich, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Hamburg and Berlin). On all trade fairs masks are mandatory. However, legislation in the 16 states changes very frequently.

Current / next major events:

IWA OutdoorClassics, 3-6 March (Nürnbergmesse, Nuremberg)

Cadeaux, 5-7 March (Leipziger Messe, Leipzig)

InPrint Munich, 15-17 March (Messe München, Munich)

Link to current government guidance: https://www.auma.de/coronaverordnungen

GREECE

Since September 1, 2021 all exhibitions are organized normally. No restrictions apply to the size of the event or the number of the people present. The health & safety protocol dictates that only fully vaccinated and recovered people can visit the shows. Exhibitors and staff can be unvaccinated, but have to present a valid test (48hrs for rapid, 72hrs for PCR). Furthermore, masks are to be worn at all times. Restaurants and cafes have to adhere to the prevailing H&S protocol for establishments of this nature. All visitors have to pre-register and maintain social distancing.

Current / next major events:

HORECA, 11-14 February

CLIMATHERM ENERGY, 25-27 February

Athens International Jewellery Show, 25-28 February

Foodexpo, 12-14 March

Medwood, 1-4 April

Posidoneia, 6-10 June

Link to current government guidance: https://bit.ly/3HGUKep

IRELAND

All restrictions relating to the staging of indoor events have been lifted in Ireland apart from mask wearing which will be reviewed at the end of February. This means that there is no need for checking of Covid certs, social distancing etc.

Current / next major events:

Showcase Ireland, Feb 27- March 2nd

Energy Show, March 30 – March 31st

Link to current government guidance: Click here

ITALY

Italian exhibitions are open since 15 June last year, based on AEFI protocols, adopted by order of the Ministry of Health in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of 28 May 2021.

From that time there are different Decrees that introduce the EU Digital COVID Certificate obligation; first for people involved in the organisation of exhibitions, and last the Festività-bis (Holiday) Decree approved on 29 December introduce an extension of the “enhanced” EU Digital COVID.

All who enter exhibitions from 10 January 2022 to 31 March 2022 must have an enhanced “EU Digital COVID Certificate”. (Vaccination with EMA vaccines and recovery)

People vaccinated  with unauthorized vaccines or that are not recognized as equivalent in Italy, access is allowed after a rapid (48-hour validity) or molecular (72-hour validity) antigen test.

Current / next major events:

Milano Unica, 1-2 February (Fiera Milano, Milano)

Fiera Agricola, 2-5 March (Veronafiere, Verona)

Sigep, 12-16 March (Italian Exhibition Group, Rimini)

Mercante in Fiera, 12-20 March (Fiere di Parma , Parma)

Link to current government guidance: https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/normativaonline/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia/

POLAND

In Poland, the organization of exhibitions and conferences is possible from June 6, 2021. Participants of the events are obliged to use masks and maintain social distance. Organization of exhibitions is possible by adjusting the number of participants to the applicable regulations, i.e. 1 person per 15 square meters. People vaccinated against COVID-19 are not included in the limit, if they present the EU digital COVID certificate or a vaccination certificate. The government is currently working on reducing the number of restrictions.

Current / next major events

Cavaliada Tour 2021/2022 – 17-20 February (Kraków, Tauron Arena)

SALMED International Medical Equipment Fair – 23-25 March (Poznań, MTP Expo)

MOVE International Mobility Congress – 7 April (Poznań, MTP Expo)

EXPOPOWER International Enery Fair – 25-27 April (Poznań, MTP Expo)

Link to current government guidance: https://www.gov.pl/web/coronavirus/cultural-events

PORTUGAL

There is no restriction regarding venue capacity.

We still need to show a European Union COVID Digital Certification with a valid Test or Recovery; a Test Certificate made a Laboratory or a Pharmacy; or do a Test as we enter the venue.

More normal things like, hand hygiene or mask use still apply.

Current / next major events:

Modtíssimo, 16-17 February (Porto)

BTL, 16-20 March (Lisbon)

Expocosmetica, 2-4 April (Porto)

Link to current government guidance: https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/resolucao-conselho-ministros/2-a-2022-177363492 (Available in Portuguese only)

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The epidemic situation in the country differs from region to region. Therefore, regional governments take their own regulations or recommendations on holding events. In most regions, exhibitions are allowed with no restrictions, and the attendance level is rather high. In some regions, there are restrictions of the number of events participants; in others, all events are banned. Wearing masks is obligatory indoors.

Current / next major events:

Aquatherm Moscow, February 15-18 (Crocus Expo, Moscow)

CJF 2022. SPRING, February 21-24 (Expocentre, Moscow)

ROSBUILD-2022, March 1-4 (Expocentre, Moscow)

INTOURMARKET, March 12-14 (Expocentre, Moscow)

SPb International Labour Forum, March 17-18 (Expoforum, St.Petersburg)

Link to current government guidance: Regional legal acts

SPAIN

Currently all events are allowed to go ahead, with no restrictions on size (only the Basque Country limits up to 50% the space in areas for +5,000 people of capacity, until at least February 14th). Regional authorities have the responsibility to regulate specific conditions on their venues and activities, and the different organisers decide the requirements and measures they want to implement for exhibitors and visitors. The use of masks is still compulsory inside the venues. Some organisers ask exhibitors and visitors to show the EU Digital COVID certificate or negative test (in some regions this is even compulsory for massive events), and keeping distance, measure of temperature so as the use of hydroalcoholic gel, etc. are still a common practice according to protocols.

Current / next major events:

FITUR, 19-23 January (Ifema Madrid)

Intergift-MadridJoya-Bisutex-Momad, 2-6 February (Ifema Madrid)

MWC-4YFN, 28 Feb.-3 March (Fira de Barcelona)

FIMMA-MADERALIA, 29 March-1 April (Feria Valencia)

Alimentaria-Hostelco, 4-7 April (Fira de Barcelona)

FIMA, 26-30 April (Feria de Zaragoza)

ISE-IOTSWC, 10-13 May (Fira de Barcelona)

BIEMH, 13-17 June (BEC, Bilbao)

CEVISAMA, 13-17 June (Feria Valencia)

Link to current government guidance: Each region in Spain takes its own regulations or recommendations depending on the sanitary situation in the region.

SWEDEN

From 9th February all events are allowed to go ahead, with no restrictions at all or required by law to check the COVID 19 status of their customers. Just general advice like stay home if you are sick.

Current / next major events:

VA fair, 29-31 March (Elmia)

Nordiska Trädgårdar, 31 March-3 April (Stockholmsmässan)

Fotomässan, 1-3 April (Stockholmsmässan)

Gastro Nord, 5-7 April (Stockholmsmässan)

Beer & Whisky, 8-9 April (Svenska Mässan)

Custom Motor Show, 15-18 April (Elmia)

Link to current government guidance: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/nyheter-och-press/nyhetsarkiv/2022/februari/de-flesta-atgarder-mot-covid-19-upphor-den-9-februari

THE NETHERLANDS

Currently exhibitions are allowed to go ahead, however some restrictions are in place. Since January 26th until the 8th of March, a maximum of 1 person per 5m2 is allowed but never more than 1250 attendees per separate space at the same time (note; separate space, not per venue). Attendees can only enter the venue exhibition with a valid proof of vaccination or recovery or a negative test result. A facemask has to be worn within the venue at all times and 1,5-meter distance is kept to one another. All other events can take place under the same restrictions. However, attendees have to be seated (at 1,5-meter distance).

Current / next major events:

Second Home Fair, 20-22 March (Jaarbeurs, Utrecht)

International Hotel Show Amsterdam, 26-27 March (RAI Amsterdam)

Intertraffic Amsterdam 2022, 29 March – 2 April (RAI Amsterdam)

Link to current government guidance: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/tackling-new-coronavirus-in-the-netherlands/public-life

Please notice that exhibitions are considered events with a continuous flow of visitors and therefore visitors do not have to be seated.

TURKEY

Currently all events are allowed to go ahead, with Ministry of Trade regulations on running exhibitions. All exhibition organisers & venues are required to check Covid-19 status of participants with integrated mobile app of Ministry of Health. It shows whether a person has active covid case or not. There is also a restriction on attendance numbers equivalent to 1 person / 10 sqm for total size used at the venue. Most of the events held at the second half of 2021 and January 2022 has caught 2019 attendance levels.

Current / next major events:

EMITT 2022, Feb 9-12 (Tuyap, Istanbul)

Konya Farm, Mar 8-12 (Tuyap, Konya)

ALUEXPO, Mar 3-5 (IFM, Istanbul)

IBAKTECH, Mar 10-13 (IFM, Istanbul)

HOST ISTANBUL, Mar 10-13 (Tuyap, Istanbul)

EXPOMED EURASIA, Mar 17-19 (Tuyap, Istanbul)

Link to current government guidance: https://www.tobb.org.tr/FuarlarMudurlugu/Sayfalar/AnaSayfa.php  (Available in Turkish only)

UK

Currently all events are allowed to go ahead, with no restrictions on size. Since January 27, venues and events are no longer required by law to check the COVID 19 status of their customers, and people are no longer legally required to wear face coverings. (This is on a voluntary basis, and many organisers may still choose to in order to reassure their customers)

Current / next major events:

IFE, 21-23 March (Excel, London)

BETT, 23-25 March (Excel, London)

Link to current government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/events-and-attractions